Want to quench
thirst and re-boost your body with anti-oxidants lycopene and vitamin-A? Watermelon has everything
you need to beat the scorching summer heat. Wonderfully delicious,
thirst-quenching melons are the great source of much needed water and
electrolytes to beat the tropical summer temperatures.
Botanically, the fruit belongs to the family of cucurbitaceae of the
genus: citrullus, and is related to the other plants such as cantaloupe,
squash, and pumpkin that grow as vines on the ground. It is widely grown across
many tropical countries where it is one of the major commercial crops.
Botanical name: Citrullus lanatus.
Watermelon was originated from southern African countries and from
where it spread to all over the tropical and subtropical regions. The plant
bears many yellow coloured flowers that may require honeybees for pollination.
The fruit has
smooth, deep green or yellow coloured thick exterior rind with light green or grey
coloured vertical stripes on the outer surface. Internally, the flesh is juicy,
pink, red, or yellow in colour with numerous small black seeds embedded in the
middle third of the flesh.
Watermelon has
neutral flavour and taste is somewhat sweet like light sugar syrup.
Different
varieties of watermelon-fruits are cultivated world over, featuring variation
in their size, shape, and colour of the flesh (red, orange, and yellow in
colour).
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The health benefits of watermelon include the
prevention of kidney disorders, high blood pressure, and the prevention of
cancer, diabetes, heart disease, heat stroke, macular degeneration and
impotence.
Kidney Disorders: Watermelons contain a lot of potassium, which is very helpful in
cleaning or washing out the toxic depositions in the kidney. Moreover, it is
helpful in reducing the concentration of uric acid in the blood, thereby
reducing the chances of kidney damage and the formation of renal calculi in
that organ. Added to this, being high in water content, it induces frequent
urinating, which is again helpful for cleaning of the kidneys. Also, the anti-oxidants
present in watermelon ensure good health of the kidneys for a long time, and
reduce signs of premature aging like wrinkles and age spots on the skin.
Prevents Heat Stroke: Watermelon is effective in reducing both your body temperature
and blood pressure. Many people in tropical regions eat this fruit every day in
the afternoon during the summer to protect themselves from heat stroke. In
India, you will find the fruit being sold by vendors in almost every street
during the summer season. The high amount of water contained in watermelon also
stimulates a release of excess liquid in the form of sweat, which cools your
body further during hot summer days.
High Blood Pressure:
The good amount of potassium and magnesium that is present in
watermelons is very beneficial in terms of bringing down blood pressure.
Potassium is considered a vasodilator, meaning that it releases the tension of
blood vessels and arteries, thereby stimulating increased blood flow and
reducing the stress on the cardiovascular system. The carotenoids present in
these fruits also prevent hardening of artery walls and veins, thereby helping
to reduce blood pressure and the chances of blood clots, strokes, heart
attacks, and atherosclerosis.
Prevents Cancer: Watermelons have been in the public eye more and more in recent
years, primarily because of their impressive level of lycopene, a carotenoid
phytonutrient compound that is increasingly being linked to cancer prevention.
As the years go by and the studies continue to bring in consistent results,
lycopene has been shown to significantly reduce the risks of prostate, breast,
colon, lung, and endometrial cancer. All in all, between the antioxidant
potential of vitamin C and the impact of lycopene, watermelon is a great
anti-cancer fruit!
Diabetes: Diabetic patients, who are supposed to have a low energy and low
sugar diet, often complain about starving since they don’t get to eat their
staple diets, which gives them the feeling of being half fed. Watermelons can
be a good supplement for them. In spite of being sweet in taste, a thick wedge
will give you very few calories, since ninety nine percent of its total weight
is composed of water and roughage. Moreover, the various vitamins and minerals
such as potassium and magnesium help in proper functioning of insulin in the
body, thus lowering the blood sugar level. Arginine, another component found in
watermelons, is very effective at enhancing the impact of insulin on blood
sugar. Diabetic patients can also have curries, steaks, and salads made from
water melon rinds, which are even lower in sugar.
Heart Care: Lypocene, a carotenoid found in abundance in watermelon,
improves cardiac functions. Beta carotene, known for its remarkable antioxidant
and anti-aging properties, also keeps you young at heart and prevents
age-related cardiac problems. The roughage in water melon and its very low
energy, along with help from vitamin-C, carotenoids and potassium (potassium
cuts the risk of a heart attack), helps to reduce cholesterol and keep your
heart safe from a variety of dangerous conditions.
Macular
Degeneration: Don’t worry about eye health and macular
degeneration if you eat plenty of watermelon, because between the beta
carotene, vitamin-C, lutein, and zeaxanthin, your eyes are well protected. They
will ensure protection of your eyes from age-related blindness and
degeneration, and these antioxidants will protect your eyes from other
age-related ailments such as drying up of eyes and optical nerves, as well as
glaucoma.
Impotence: Arginine, present in watermelon,
is beneficial in curing erectile dysfunction, and the stimulating nature of the
chemical can boost libido, reduce frigidity and give a kick start to your love
life, after you enjoy a few slices of watermelon together!
Other Benefits: Lypocene is found to be
effective in repairing damaged tissues. Watermelon seeds are rich in beneficial
fats and proteins. Watermelons also contain phytonutrients which have very good
effects on the health and proper functioning of internal organs, eyes, and the
secretion system.
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